BOLI plans Bend housing law-Section 8 seminar

Oregon Labor Commissioner Avakian announced Thursday that a series of 15 upcoming civil rights seminars on housing law will help landlords understand Oregon’s new Section 8 rules and provide an overview of disability protections and other frequent areas of landlord/tenant disputes.

Starting Monday, the Bureau of Labor and Industries will offer two-hour seminars around the state free of charge to members of the public.

“Oregon’s new civil rights protection mean that Oregonians cannot be turned away and denied a place to live because of income,” said Avakian. “With increasing rents and housing costs, it’s important that families have a fair shot at housing near their workplaces or children’s schools. Our hope is that these seminars will help landlords understand the rules and avoid potential mistakes or violations.”

The forums will focus on the common area of civil right complaints in housing and an overview of Oregon’s new Section 8 law (HB 2639, championed by House Speaker Tina Kotek).

The seminars will answer questions such as:

If a disability is not obvious, what information may a housing provider request from a person with a disability in support of a requested accommodation?
What are common pitfalls around familial status and rental properties?
What do landlords need to know about protected classes in Oregon civil rights law?
How are “no pets” policies affected by tenants with assistance animals?
What do housing providers need to know about tenant-on-tenant harassment?
How does BOLI’s civil rights process work?
What resources exist for housing providers to answer other tough questions?

BOLI secured $20,000 in partnership grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to conduct the sessions. No pre-registration is required, and attendees are encouraged to arrive early to ensure a seat.

One will take place in Bend on Tuesday, Oct. 29 from 9-11 a.m. – at a location not yet announced. We’ll add that to the notice when received

For more information about BOLI’s efforts to support Oregon employers and protect Oregon’s workforce, visit http://www.oregon.gov/BOLI. The agency’s Technical Assistance for Employers program can be reached at (971) 673-0824.